Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
47. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of times officials from his Department have met with a committee (details supplied) in 2026; and the number of those meetings since the previous public sector pay deal expired on 30 June 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69057/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of times he has met with a committee (details supplied) as Minister; and the number of those meetings since the previous public sector pay deal expired on 30 June 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69056/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
Consistent with well established practice, engagement on public service pay matters is led by officials of my Department. My officials have met the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on twelve occasions during 2026. Two meetings taking place since the expiry of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 at end June 2026.
In addition to these engagements, a range of established industrial relations fora operate across the public service, facilitating regular and constructive engagement with public service unions and staff representative associations.
I have engaged with ICTU representatives through the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) including at the most recent plenary LEEF meeting on 8 July 2026. More recently, I met with ICTU representatives on 9 September 2026 in relation to ICTU's pre-Budget submission.
It is a long-established practice that officials of the Department of Public Expenditure negotiate on public pay on behalf of the Government. My officials remain available to engage with the PSC of ICTU and other staff representative associations. I have made clear that Government is ready to engage intensively on the issues raised by the PSC. The established industrial relations channels provide the appropriate forum for discussions, and I would encourage engagement to commence without further delay.
Prior to the expiry of the previous agreement at the end of June, my officials and the PSC of ICTU met bi-laterally to explore the potential to agree a successor agreement. The PSC of ICTU sought prior agreement on a number of specific pay-related commitments and subsequently decided to withdraw from the process before substantive engagement could take place on the issues raised. The Government wants to reach a new agreement and my officials remains available to re-engage, however the outcome of these talks cannot be determined in advance.
